Northern British Columbia

Whale Watching

Whale watching in Northern BC takes place in the waters off Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands.

From May to October, BC's north coast becomes an ocean highway for Orcas and humpback, grey and minke whales migrating north to the Bering Sea or south to Mexico.

Join a whale-watching tour and spend a couple of hours or days on the water looking for grey whales feeding on kelp beds, enormous humpbacks breaching, or distinct black-and-white Orcas surfacing.

Whale-watching season stretches from May to October. Grey whales can be seen as early as late March and Orcas can be seen from May onwards, while humpback sightings are common from July right into the fall months. It's not only whales that can be viewed; also look for marine life such as sea lions, seals and porpoises, all of which are commonly seen year-round.

Whale-Watching Tours

The types of whale-watching excursions vary as much as the wildlife - trips range from a couple of hours to full day or multi-day tours. Relax in a large catamaran vessel with indoor seats and outdoor viewing decks, opt for the thrill of a zodiac boat to get to close to the water, or spend a week on the water on a sailboat with comfortable amenities and onboard naturalists.

Experienced paddler? Kayaking is another way to go whale watching, and sightseeing is all the more vivid when viewed from such a small, silent vessel. Rent kayaks on Haida Gwaii or in Prince Rupert.

Popular Whale-Watching Spots

The salmon-rich waters along the coast near Prince Rupert and surrounding the 140 islands of Haida Gwaii are perfect feeding grounds for whales.

A handful of whale-watching operators are based out of Prince Rupert. Cruise the waters onboard a 72ft/22m catamaran with large indoor and outdoor viewing areas, or learn about the history of local First Nations and their connection to whales with an Aboriginal-owned company. Zip along the water on a zodiac boat and get up-close encounters with marine life, or dock at a floating ocean lodge for lunch as part of a multi-day whale watching tour.

A few operators also offer whale-watching tours near Haida Gwaii. Bring a camera and join a humpback whale photography trip on an open-air zodiac boat to spend days capturing pictures of breaching whales, and nights aboard a floating lodge. Or take in fascinating Haida culture with a visit to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site to see totem poles, relax in natural hot springs and more.

Practical Points

Peak season for whale watching is between May and November.

Most whale watching operators require advance reservations.

Dress in warm layers as boat decks can be breezy.

Seasickness is generally not an issue, but for trips on open waters be prepared for some motion.

Visit local Visitor Centres for help with trip ideas, planning and transportation.

Other businesses with Whale Watching

Bluewater Adventures offers 'once in a lifetime' wilderness expeditions along the north coast of BC and in Southeast Alaska. Our multi-day, live-aboard trips explore the remote wilderness of coastal British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. Travelling with renowned naturalists and our skilled crew aboard 68' expedition yachts we keep watch for whales and other marine mammals, coastal birds and bears, old-growth forests and ancient native villages. We focus on animal behaviour, ecology, sustainability and local history. Small groups of 12-14 guests ensure quality, informality and a 'hands-on' experience for all aboard.
Bluewater Adventures adheres to the principals of ecotourism by supporting local communities, promoting conservation, ensuring our practices are low impact, and by providing guests with world-class knowledge about the coast.

Knight Inlet Lodge is Canada's premier grizzly bear viewing destination. We have been featured in productions by the BBC Natural History Unit (2008), National Geographic, Time Magazine, Disney & many others around the world as the best place to view grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Situated in the lush Great Bear Rainforest, Knight Inlet Lodge caters to the wildlife enthusiast wishing unparallelled viewing opportunities for grizzly bears, whales, birds & many other species of animals. 2012 & 2013 Travellers Choice award winner.

Rated "Trip of a Lifetime" by Frommer's (2000-2014) & a "Tour of a Lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler (2011). Take a boutique expedition cruise by classic, small ship to experience BC's wildlife, landscape & culture. Cruise islands & fjords, explore ancient rainforests. A-list naturalists & guides lead you to special bear, whale & seabird viewing & First Nations sites that are not accessible to the general public. Frequent shore trips, gourmet cuisine, friendly crew & comfy accommodations aboard beautiful ships. Private ensuite staterooms available.
Destinations: Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), Great Bear Rainforest, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands. Operated by a leader in sustainable tourism since 1986, these trips are for people who enjoy the path less travelled. We welcome you to contact us or visit our website.

Join us to experience unparallelled wildlife viewing, whale watching & awe-inspiring First Nations culture, amidst BC's most spectacular landscapes. Our motorized yacht, Great Bear II, is fully certified & inspected by Transport Canada annually, to help ensure your safety. Some of the best certified captains & crew. Our small group sizes mean our guests enjoy intimate experiences with nature & our photographers some of the best opportunities... our guests are never just part of a crowd. With a maximum of 6 guests per trip, our fully certified professional guides can better ensure the safety of the group while having the least impact on the lands we visit & the wildlife we view. Join our scheduled trips or design your own custom (private) charter & experience the wild in wilderness!

The Pacific Yellowfin is not only a unique historic vessel in the Pacific Northwest with an incredible history, it also boasts unique features that differentiate us from other operators on the British Columbia coastline. Available for per cabin trips during June and September, or full boat charter anytime during our season. Off-season day cruises also available, please inquire.

Full boat charters are 100% custom and tailor made just for your group! We offer everything from gourmet dining, to truly wild bear and whale watching, to awesome water sports for all ages. There is something for everyone onboard the Pacific Yellowfin.